I hope that you're well

Did you ever make it out of that town where nothing ever happened?

Kathryn gasped as he grabbed her. She couldn't believe what was happening. She pulled away looking at his quite confused. "Chakotay? I.. I am so sorry, I don't know what I was doing sending you all those messages. I" he tried to interrupt her but she held up her hand in protest, his arms still around her waist. "I know that it really is none of my business what you do with your personal life, I just couldn't help but want to know. Just know that you don't have to answer any of my questions." 'Where is this all coming from?' she thought, then continued. "I just… I want you to be happy, don't worry about me, I have to learn to be happy on my own." She looked into his eyes then and she saw nothing but love and affection. She couldn't stop staring, her next words came out as nothing more than a whisper "I hope.. that you're well… and I.. I just wanted to say…" before she could finish, his lips were on hers in their first kiss.

She was surprised for a split second, then melted into the kiss. Her arms wound around his neck and pulled him closer, she returned his kiss with a ferocity she didn't think she had the strength to muster, and in the midst of their kissing, she felt a smile creep onto her face for the first time in ages.

It's no secret that the both of us

Are running out of time

He knew she was about to do it again, push him away, deny herself happiness on the grounds that others deserved happiness over herself. So he kissed her.

His kiss was soft at first, but when he felt her kiss him back, he kissed her with all the passion he had held inside over the last few months. He kissed her, and tried to force the strength back into her, force the life back into those eyes. He felt her smile against him, and he knew he had taken a step in the right direction.

When they finally broke apart they were both gasping for air, he leaned back from her and took in her appearance. She was wearing a beautiful dark blue dress, but it hung on her, and he could tell she hadn't been eating. He looked at her face and saw that she had attempted to cover the deep purple under her eyes with concealer, her eyes themselves were as beautiful as they always had been, but sad. The only glimmer of happiness he saw in them came from their kiss he supposed. She noticed him looking at her and pulled away from him, looking sorrowfully at the ground.

When she saw him looking at her, she realized how terrible she really must look. She turned away, her clothing baggy, eyes tired, she was no spring-chicken, and he had probably just come from Seven who was so beautiful… She spun to face him with horror on her face. "Seven.." she said, barely audible. She began to back away, realizing that she had just made Chakotay a cheater, a cheater on someone she cared about.

When Kathryn said Seven's name in terror, Chakotay realized that she really had no idea. "Kathryn NO! No! Seven and I ended right after we got back to Earth.. Kathryn I am so sorry I thought you knew. Oh Gods… I should have realized that you didn't… Oh Kathryn." He ran to her and scooped her in his arms once more. "Kathryn…"

"Chakotay…"

"Kathryn I love you, I always will." This time it was she who kissed him. "I love you too."

Author's Note: Hello! I am debating whether or not to continue this story. I have done what I wanted to with the song, but I could easily continue the story line. Thoughts? Thank you for reading!